First Time at SSR - Help with Section Selection and Getting Excited

[TheSpooph]

I have a really nice friend who is giving me a great rate at SSR for next May. My family stayed there once back when it was the Disney Institute. We were able to walk to Downtown Disney, which was great. And now that it is Disney Springs, it sounds like it would still be a perfect place to go.

But, this time around we have two small children - 5 and 2. This wouldn't be my first resort choice but I'm super excited to get to go back to Disney. My friends generosity is letting us stay longer.

I am thinking somewhere near the Paddock pool or the High Rock pool would be fun.

What would be the best place for our family to request? Can anyone help with clear instructions for the request?

Basically, we are looking for a place relatively close to one of the splash pools and a pool with a slide. And maybe the walking path to Disney Springs. And this will be a 2-bedroom, in case that makes a difference.

Easy, right?

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Paddock would be good, or the Spring (near High Rock Springs pool) or the Grandstand (fun water play area).

 

[Buzzalot]

SSR is awesome!!! You will love it. My boys were 5 and 2 on our last trip in August. They love the pools. We requested and were given, Paddock by the pool room 5400ish. The Paddock pool has a great kids slide/splash area. High Springs pool is just a short walk across the bridge.

 

[TheSpooph]

The Paddock would be good, or the Spring (near High Rock Springs pool) or the Grandstand (fun water play area).

Thanks! The pools look very fun. I'm thinking that a southern building in the Paddock would be good, somewhere between the Paddock pool and the path to Disney Springs.

SSR is awesome!!! You will love it. My boys were 5 and 2 on our last trip in August. They love the pools. We requested and were given, Paddock by the pool room 5400ish. The Paddock pool has a great kids slide/splash area. High Springs pool is just a short walk across the bridge.

Thanks! How did the bus system work for you guys? We will have a car but I would prefer not to drive to the parks.

 

[m3owbox]

We stayed at the Grandstand and loved its location. It was close to the Carriage house and it was the first bus stop.

 

[Buzzalot]

Thanks! The pools look very fun. I'm thinking that a southern building in the Paddock would be good, somewhere between the Paddock pool and the path to Disney Springs.



Thanks! How did the bus system work for you guys? We will have a car but I would prefer not to drive to the parks.

We had no issues with the bus. Even though we were in the Paddock building by the bus stop, we would walk down to the carousel stop (second stop in the loop). Disney has plenty buses running at all times, even for early ADRs at the parks. Don't stress the buses and it will work for you.

 

[TheSpooph]

We stayed at the Grandstand and loved its location. It was close to the Carriage house and it was the first bus stop.

Thanks! Being close to the main building does sound nice. And so does the first bus stop - less standing and less people to hit with a stroller!

 

[TheSpooph]

We had no issues with the bus. Even though we were in the Paddock building by the bus stop, we would walk down to the carousel stop (second stop in the loop). Disney has plenty buses running at all times, even for early ADRs at the parks. Don't stress the buses and it will work for you.

I try not to sweat the buses but they are always the unknown. We stayed at the Swan last time and had some pretty long waits just for the bus to arrive. But, at least my kids like the bus!

Thanks for the reminder to chill out!

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

We're normally the type to always use the bus at Disneybut being able to park RIGHT outside your building at SSR made driving SO convenient with 2 little kids. No standing with a stroller on bus at the end of a long day, no waiting for buses. It was so much easier! We took PJ's in the car, changed the kids (2&3) in the car in the parking lot, they dozed off on drive then we just dropped them asleep in bed at hotel. SO much easier than crowded buses with exhausted kids dozing in your arms.
The paddock pool kids area is great and has a bigger slide as well in the pool. The walk to Disney springs isn't bad from there either. We loved the paddock area.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We stayed in the Carousel and loved it! Close to the pool area (2 buildings over) and quiet. Nice back walk to the main building took about 8 minutes at a relaxed pace. Bus was no issue for us at all. We usually drive half the time and bus half the time. It's worth it to do a taxi at really busy times

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm thinking about asking for Congress Park or Grandstand. Is either one of these better than the other? Pools?

 

[m3owbox]

I'm thinking about asking for Congress Park or Grandstand. Is either one of these better than the other? Pools?

I really enjoyed the Grandstand's pool. It was open all night too. Bus stopped there first so you always had a seat and it is the first stop after a long day in the parks.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks will ask for Grandstand!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks will ask for Grandstand!!

Hi Hope! When are you going? We like the Grandstand although for our next trip I thought briefly about asking for Congress Park for easy walking to Disney Springs. BUT the 1st bus stop is sooo nice. Last time we also asked for Grandstand but got the Paddock instead. Hated it. We were in the very last building, furthest away from the bus and pool - closer to the Congress Park bus stop so that's usually where we went for buses but there were no sidewalks heading that way so it was a somewhat indirect walk. Still shorter tho than the Paddock's ammenities. BUT THEN the Congress Park stop is further down the bus stop chain and when it's busy we didn't always get on a bus and had to keep waiting. For that reason, easier walk to DS or not we'll keep our request for the Grandstand and hope we get it. We have a 1 in 5 shot of actually getting it I guess. The pool at the Grandstand has a nice splash play area for younger kids (which we don't need any more). We had a car on the trip that we were in the Paddock and actually drove to the Paddock pool a couple of times because it was sooo hot (August) we nearly melted on the walk. We also drove out at night for dinners at Epcot a couple of times…The Paddock would be OK if you're not too far from the bus stop.

 

[marsh0013]

Hi Hope! When are you going? We like the Grandstand although for our next trip I thought briefly about asking for Congress Park for easy walking to Disney Springs. BUT the 1st bus stop is sooo nice. Last time we also asked for Grandstand but got the Paddock instead. Hated it. We were in the very last building, furthest away from the bus and pool - closer to the Congress Park bus stop so that's usually where we went for buses but there were no sidewalks heading that way so it was a somewhat indirect walk. Still shorter tho than the Paddock's ammenities. BUT THEN the Congress Park stop is further down the bus stop chain and when it's busy we didn't always get on a bus and had to keep waiting. For that reason, easier walk to DS or not we'll keep our request for the Grandstand and hope we get it. We have a 1 in 5 shot of actually getting it I guess. The pool at the Grandstand has a nice splash play area for younger kids (which we don't need any more). We had a car on the trip that we were in the Paddock and actually drove to the Paddock pool a couple of times because it was sooo hot (August) we nearly melted on the walk. We also drove out at night for dinners at Epcot a couple of times…The Paddock would be OK if you're not too far from the bus stop.

How funny that we were in the same exact spot, last building in Paddock closest to Congress Park, and we thought it was great! Only thing better for us would have been to actually have a room in Congress Park. Granted, we are 2 adults, and we don't go to rope drop, so we never had any issues with full buses. We also were there the last week of October, so that could be a factor for bus crowds as well.

I guess we like to walk though, because we thought it was a perfect walking distance from everything. The walk to DTD was great, and we even got off at Grandstand many nights coming back from the parks to go grab food at Artist Palette and then walked back to the room from there.

 

[TheSpooph]

Thanks everyone for the hints and help! I'm getting more excited by the day.

I think Congress Park or lower Paddock would be good. If the buses look terrible, we will just use our car.

Now I need to figure out the best way to put in our request. With the owner now or wait until 60 day check in. Thoughts?

 

[River Country]

Its my home resort and for some odd reason and I know its not too popular we always ask for the Springs. We like the pool and proximity to the Carriage house

 

[PetePanMan]

Its my home resort and for some odd reason and I know its not too popular we always ask for the Springs. We like the pool and proximity to the Carriage house

We haven't stayed at SSR yet but will be this coming spring. I have always wondered why Springs area isn't more popular as well. Seems close to carriage house, 2 nice pools, etc.

 

[River Country]

We haven't stayed at SSR yet but will be this coming spring. I have always wondered why Springs area isn't more popular as well. Seems close to carriage house, 2 nice pools, etc.

well here are some reasons its not popular
1. Its the drop off bus stop for the THV
2. Its the last stop in and out of the resort

 

[PetePanMan]

well here are some reasons its not popular
1. Its the drop off bus stop for the THV
2. Its the last stop in and out of the resort

I think we'll be driving the next trip so it might work out great for us. How is the atmosphere relative to other areas?